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Aug. 26, 2004
Gal Fridman strikes gold
FRANKIE SACHS
After 52 years and 12 Olympics, windsurfer Gal Fridman fulfilled a dream for himself and Israel on Wednesday by winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.
Fridman, 29, raced a tactically flawless final race in the men’s Mistral windsailing event to finish the race in second place and propel him past Brazil’s Ricardo Santos and Nikolaos Kaklamanakis of Greece for the gold.
Later in the evening, Fridman received his gold, along with an olive branch wreath and a kiss from Alex Gilady, the Israeli member of the International Olympic Committee. Then, a mostly Israeli crowd rose to sing Hatikva and watch the Israeli flag get hoisted to the top of the flagpole for the first time in the 108 years of the modern Olympic Games.
Fridman had already made Israeli Olympic history on Monday when, as a result of his placement in the previous 10 races, he was the only competitor guaranteed at least a medal in the competition, making him the first Israeli to win two Olympic medals. Fridman took a bronze at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Kaklamanakis, who finished with silver this year, won the gold in Atlanta.
"It was like I was in a dream, completely cut off from everything else and totally focused," Fridman told Channel 1 of the last of 11 races in the event. The Israeli was the only one of the 34 sailors to finish in the top 10 of every race.
After crossing the finish line in second place and realizing that the distance between him and Santos, who had been in the lead coming into the final race, was too great for the Brazilian to overcome, Fridman thrust his arms into the air in celebration before taking a victory dip in the Aegean with his brother, Yuval, coach Gur Steinberg, and Israel’s female Mistral surfer, Lee Korzits.
"I did it for the people of Israel… they were behind me and I’m glad I could do this for them," he told the cameras while sitting on his board and taking it all in. Fridman used every bit of his experience to dump the young Santos in his quest for the gold.
Santos had a three-point lead over Fridman coming into the race, which meant that the Israeli needed to finish at least four places ahead of him in order to surpass him in the final rankings.
In the opening minutes of the race, the two surged ahead and were neck and neck with the front pack of sailors. Realizing that Santos’s goal was simply to stick with him and avoid letting him build a four-spot advantage, Fridman dropped back in the race, as did Santos. Then, the Israeli waited for a change in the wind and bolted past the stunned Brazilian, leaving him in the middle of the pack.
While Fridman made his way to the front near Britain’s Nick Dempsey, Santos decided to try to stay with Kaklamanakis in an attempt to at least go home with the silver. However, the wily Greek foiled his plan, breaking ahead in the last leg of the race, at which point Santos self-destructed and ended up finishing 17th, matching his poorest performance of the competition prior to Wednesday.
On the front end of the race, Dempsey managed to hold the lead until the end and wound up surpassing the Brazilian for the bronze.
Fridman tallied 42 negative points from 10 races (the worst result for each sailor is dropped), 10 less than Kaklamanakis. Dempsey wound up with 53 points thanks to his fine race on Wednesday, while the disappointed Santos acquired 54.
Korzits finished her final race in 12th and ended the women’s competition in 13th place overall
------------------------ In response to reader requests, we are inserting this link — courtesy of MSN Israel and Israel Television — for those who wish to view the presentation clip
Talkback (moderated). Please include your first and last names, your city and country.
Walter Zimmerman London, Ontario Canada: Mazel Tov to Gal and to all of Israel! The news came to me of Israel’s first Olympic gold medal just minutes before our morning minyan began here in London, Ontario. I kept it to myself until an appropriate part of the service when I began chanting the Shehecheyanu prayer. People at first looked on in surprise and then joined in. At the end, I explained that Medinat Yisrael kabal zahav be’Olympia pa’am rishon (pardon both the Hebrew and the transliteration) and then in English that Israel had won its first gold medal ever. There were smiles all around. Thanks for making us all so proud — it’s wonderful to hear GOOD news from Israel for a change, even though we all know Israel is doing wonderful things in many fields of endeavour all the time. Again, Mazel Tov!!
Mitch Spector, San Diego, CA: The entire world celebrates Gal’s gold. It brought tears to my eyes just reading the articles from around the world. I’m looking for any video footage of the medal ceremony. Here in the US, the television coverage is horrible and must hear our anthem, and our flag waving high. I’m hoping that you can help.
Aren and Odeyah Hoffman, Vancouver, Canada: Mazel Tov to the entire state of Israel on this remarkable occasion! What wonderful news for Israel. We were so filled with joy to hear the news and could not be happier that this amazing moment had finally come. It was amazing to see the Israeli flag on Gal’s windsurf. He is a true champion. What a class act he was to devote his victory to the Israelis murdered at the Munich Olympics. May Israel’s perseverance inspire others to more incredible moments of Olympic success. Gal’s victory brings hope to the lives of many seeking peace in Eretz Yisrael!
Robert Hochstadt, Noosa, Queensland, Australia: I live in a "normal" country…Australia…peaceful, free and sports-loving! A country whose sportsmen and women have already amassed 16 gold medals at these Olympics not to mention countless silver and bronze. I reveled in each and every gold medal earned by my fellow Australians 4 years ago at the Sydney Olympics and I was proud to have been present at the swimming pool when on two occasions the Australian flag was raised and the national anthem was played. What I would have given, though, to be present when Gal Fridman won gold for Israel! To have watched the Israeli flag being proudly raised and to have heard the Hatikvah!! Congratulations to Gal, to all Israel’s Olympians and to the Israeli people. In this, as in so many other fields of endeavor, you continue to make
so many Jews in the Diaspora (like myself) proud to be a Jew. Am Yisrael Chai.
Carlos Beriro, Malaga, Spain: After Gal’s gold medal in Athens we Jews will look at the sea in a different manner: And have our search for destiny painted with the color of victory. God bless Israel
Brian Gerstein, Toronto, Canada: Incredible! Congratulations from Canada to Gal for making Jews in the Diaspora feel incredibly proud to be Jewish, savouring this tremendous accomplishment. I have yet to see the medal ceremony, but can’t wait to catch the raising of the Israeli flag and to hear Hatikva sung for such an historic accomplishment.
Nathan Lawrence, Auckland, New Zealand: From New Zealand, at the other end of the earth, the small Jewish Community along with all supporters of Israel was ecstatic to hear of Gal Friedman’s achievement in winning Gold at the Olympics. We also applaud Arik Zeevi and all of Israel’s competitors on their successes. It is refreshing to have happy and uplifting news from Israel, something that can buoy us all for the future as Rosh Hashanah approaches. We wish for more and more success, not only on the sports field, but in the life of Israel. Let us hear again and again the Hatikvah played aloud with pride. You make us proud and remind us of the benefits of striving for success.
Anne Robin, Guildford UK: Congratulations Israel well done! So happy you need this when nearly all the world is against you.
Gerd Schulz, Brandenburg, Germany: Congratulations!!!
Ros Morris, London, England: I was absolutely delighted that Gal won his Gold. Not just for himself and Israel but for Jews everywhere. I happily switched on the BBC coverage just when he emerged from the sea, having made the points, covered in the Israeli flag. If only the BBC had shown the whole medal ceremony, instead of as usual focussing in on their own (albeit) Bronze winner! Mazal tov!
Jeremy Bergstein, NY, USA: Stellar! Best to you all. Much love from NYC and Congratulations on GOLD! Finally
Fabio Szperling, S o Paulo, Brazil: Kol a Kavod to Gal and to all Israelis! It s really was great day for Israel sports and we in the Diaspora could feel the same hapiness as the Israelis. As brazilian, I was wondering if both atlethes (Ricardo Santos and Gal Fridman) went to the podium together, it will be amazing, but anyway, Ricardo did his best and Gal made history!
Nick Levy, London, UK: Metsuyan! Mazal Tov to Gal and and all Israel!!! A real piece of Olympic & Israeli History & an emotional too!
Yonatan David Coote Ontario Canada: What a blessing for Israel after many many years of competing at the Olympics to finally be able to see the Israeli Flag fly high at the Olympics. I can only imagine the joy and jubilation that rang through Israel as they watched Gal receive the Gold Medal. Am Israel Chai!
Marcos Stiglitz, Montevideo, Uruguay: Very proud of our champion! Congratulations to Gal, and to all the Israeli people.
Tom & Michelle Chaffer, Kansas City, Missouri, USA The one whose vehicle transcends wind and waves wins for Israel!!! Israel’s unique song of hope for the world to hear! Congratulations to Gal!!! And Praise G-D! What a magnificent sport!
Leah Goodman, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel: I’m so proud to live in this incredibly special and amazing country! Mazel Tov to Gal and to all of our great Israeli athletes!
Michael Abneri, New York: I am a windsurfer who lives in lido beach New York. It is an exciting moment for Jews worldwide especially those who windsurf
Mauricio Kaplan, Bertioga, SP. Brazil: Congratulation on your gold medal, the world Jewry is proud of you.
David Hes, Toronto Canada: Mazal Tov Gal, you did yourself and your country proud. Hatikvah sounded especially sweet with you on the podium and all the world watching. Shabatt shalom…. Congrats here from the Amler family in Sydney, Australia!! You have done Israel Proud!!!!
Reuben, Milano, Italy: Kol Ha Kavod Gal! After the Mac T’’A, Hapoel Y’’M success in Basket, you made this 5764 a GREAT year for us Israelis, and the Jews all around the world. May this be just the beginning!
Brian Gerstein, Toronto, Canada: Incredible! Congratulations from Canada to Gal for making Jews in the Diaspora feel incredibly proud to be Jewish, savoring this tremendous accomplishment. I have yet to see the medal ceremony, but can’t wait to catch the raising of the Israeli flag and to hear Hatikva sung for such an historic accomplishment.
David Layon, UK: The tears streamed down as Gal finally realized a dream for al of us.
Alan Sherman, Wingate Institute, Netanya: Congratulations on a superb win and the honor of bringing the first ever gold medal to Israel. You have inspired untold numbers of Israelis to dedicate themselves to being the best and future gold medalists are guranteed. Hoping to meet you during my trip to Israel in November.
Meyer J. Persow, Washington DC: Fantastic. I jumped for joy and sang Hatikva at my desk when I read the news yesterday. Congratulations. Ronny Schnapp, Sydney, Australia: Mazal Tov to Gal and all of Israel on this momentus occassion! Unfortunately, we in Australia did not get to see the event or the medal ceremony on TV, but I can imagine the feelings of joy that I would have had, had I seen it. To borrow a phrase from the TV show Seinfeld: "You’re gold, Gal. Gold!"
Dr David Guez, Canberra, Australia: Great!!! I’m so happy!!! Long life to Israel! Felicitation to Gal Friedman for this great performance.
Rudolf Kleinpeter , Blieskastel/Germany: Congratulations from a friend of Israel
Jason Feldman, Melbourne, Australia: Well done Gal Friedman and Maccabi Tel-Aviv — a great day for Israeli sport!!
Gerd Schulz, Brandenburg, Germany: Congratulations!!!
Rudolf Kleinpeter, Germany: Congratulations from a friend of Israel coming from Blieskastel/Germany.
Rudy Gujer, White Plains, New York, USA: Gal Fridman’s Gold for Israel!! Absolutely SUPER! My best congratulation! Israel was a very long time waiting for Gold. I hope, it will give all a positive lift and forget for a wail the unfair world. It is refreshing and so good, to see the Flag of Israel on the Top and the whole world can hear the beautiful national anthem of Israel. It made my day. I was very happy for Israel and the family and friends of Gal Fridman. Again, my congratulation to Gal Fridman and the beautiful State of Israel.
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